Method and apparatus for penetrating tissue

Abstract

A tissue penetrating system includes a plurality of cartridges each with a distal port and a proximal port. A plurality of penetrating members are provided, each coupled to a cartridge and having a sharpened distal tip and a shaft portion slidably disposed within the cartridge. A seal is formed by a fracturable material between the penetrating member and the cartridge. The seal is positioned at one or both of a distal port or a proximal port of the cartridge.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A tissue penetrating system, comprising:
 a penetrating member driver; 
 a plurality of disposables each with a distal port and a proximal port; 
 a plurality of penetrating members each coupled to a disposable and a penetrating member driver, each penetrating member having a sharpened distal tip and a shaft portion slidably disposed within the disposable; 
 a plurality of analyte sensors each being associated with a penetrating member; 
 a seal formed by a fracturable material between the penetrating member and the disposable, the seal being positioned at least one of a distal port or a proximal port of the disposable; 
 a penetrating member position sensor coupled to the penetrating member driver, the position sensor utilizing position information of the each of a penetrating member to determine a depth of penetration through a skin surface; 
 a processor that reads and stores position data generated by the position sensor and measures an amount of skin elastic tenting; and 
 wherein the penetrating member driver is coupled to a processor and configured to provide that in a first direction the penetrating member moves toward the target tissue at a speed that is greater than a speed at which the penetrating member moves away from the target tissue. 
 
     
     
       2. The system of  claim 1 , wherein a speed of a penetrating member in the first direction is the range of 0.05 to 60 m/sec. 
     
     
       3. The system of  claim 1 , wherein a speed of a penetrating member in the first direction is the range of 0.1 to 20.0 m/sec. 
     
     
       4. The system of  claim 1 , wherein a speed of a penetrating member in the first direction is the range of 1.0 to 10.0 m/sec. 
     
     
       5. The system of  claim 1 , wherein a speed of a penetrating member in the first direction is the range of 3.0 to 8.0 m/sec. 
     
     
       6. The system of  claim 1 , wherein a dwell time of the penetrating member in the target tissue below a skin surface is in the range of 1 microsecond to 2 seconds. 
     
     
       7. The system of  claim 1 , wherein a dwell time of the penetrating member in the target tissue below a skin surface is in the range of 500 milliseconds to 1.5 second. 
     
     
       8. The system of  claim 1 , wherein a dwell time of the penetrating member in the target tissue below a skin surface is in the range of 100 milliseconds to 1 second. 
     
     
       9. The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a sample chamber with an opening for transport of a body fluid into the sample chamber, the sample chamber being sized to receive no more than 1.0 μL of the body fluid. 
 
     
     
       10. The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a sample chamber with an opening for transport of a body fluid into the sample chamber, the sample chamber being sized to receive no more than 0.75 μL of the body fluid. 
 
     
     
       11. The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a sample chamber with an opening for transport of a body fluid into the sample chamber, the sample chamber being sized to receive no more than 0.5 μL of the body fluid. 
 
     
     
       12. The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a sample chamber with an opening for transport of a body fluid into the sample chamber, the sample chamber being sized to receive no more than 0.25 μL of the body fluid. 
 
     
     
       13. The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a sample chamber with an opening for transport of a body fluid into the sample chamber, the sample chamber being sized to receive no more than 0.1 μL of the body fluid. 
 
     
     
       14. The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a tissue stabilizer device coupled to the housing. 
 
     
     
       15. The system of  claim 14 , wherein the tissue stabilizer device is configured to enhance fluid flow from a target tissue. 
     
     
       16. The system of  claim 14 , wherein the tissue stabilizer device creates a stretching of a skin surface. 
     
     
       17. The system of  claim 14 , wherein the tissue stabilizer device includes a plurality of protrusions. 
     
     
       18. The system of  claim 14 , wherein the tissue stabilizer device applies a vacuum to a target tissue. 
     
     
       19. The system of  claim 14 , wherein the tissue stabilizer device is configured to apply a force to a target tissue and cause the target tissue to press in an inward direction relative to the housing member. 
     
     
       20. The system of  claim 14 , wherein the tissue stabilizing member applies a stimulation to a target tissue. 
     
     
       21. The system of  claim 1 , further comprising
 a second fracturable seal located at least one of the distal port or proximal port of disposable.